So for a variety of reasons I haven’t touched my Motif XF8 for a number of years, or for that matter to be able to devote any meaningful time to music production. But I’m in position now to get back to my favorite pastime. I used to use - and still own - a 2011 MacBook Pro to connect to the FW16E in the Motif. And frankly I’d really prefer to continue using that method of connectivity (the FW16E/Motif combination is superb). But frankly I really want to switch over to Windows 7 or 10, which I am FAR more comfortable with. For the record, the primary software I intend to use: Cubase, Omnisphere, a number of the Komplete apps, and possibly some other fairly resource-intensive soft synths.

I could really use some advice on the following:

- Would running Windows 7 or Windows 10 on my ‘old’ MacBook Pro still be a reasonable option, or should I purchase a Windows 10/7-based laptop to dedicate to music production? The Mac is still in great shape and of course it already has Firewire. But I’m not sure if it’s still up to the task of working with recent resource-intensive music applications. But more importantly, I really don’t want to invest the time and expense to maintain Mac-based software, so I’d be using the Mac purely as as Windows laptop. And I don’t know how well the Mac would work with the Motif when running in Windows, and if I’d be opening myself up to a bunch of compatibility issues.

- I’m guessing that I probably would be better off acquiring a recent model Windows-based laptop for use with the Motif. With that in mind, could you provide some advice on the most suitable way to add firewire connectivity (e.g. a Thunderport-to-firewire adapter, or a USB 3.0-to-Firewire)?

- Last, would I just be better off abandoning the FW16E altogether and hooking the Motif up to a new Windows-based laptop using an external non-Firewire audio interface?